Mobile communication method, radio access network apparatus and mobile station

ABSTRACT

A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes the steps of: transmitting an “Extended Service Request” from a mobile station UE in Idle mode to a mobility management node MME via a radio base station eNodeB; transmitting an “Initial UE Context Setup Request” from the mobile station UE to the radio base station eNodeB, the “Initial UE Context Setup Request containing priority call information; and preferentially allocating resources to the E-RAB for the mobile station UE by the radio base station eNodeB based on the priority call information contained in the received “Initial UE Context Setup Request.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile communication method, a radioaccess network apparatus and a mobile station.

BACKGROUND ART

For mobile communication systems of LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard,“CS Fallback (CSFB) procedures”havebeen specified in order for a mobilestation UE in Idle mode on E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial RadioAccess Network) not supporting circuit-switched type of communicationsto perform circuit-switched type of communications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

According to the above CSFB procedure, it is necessary to set up an“E-RAB (Evolved Radio Access Bearer)” that is a radio bearer on E-UTRANfirst, and thereafter to set up a “RAB (Radio Access Bearer)” that is aradio bearer on UTRAN (Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network) orGERAN (GSM EDGE Radio Access Network).

The CSFB procedure, however, has a problem of being unable topreferentially allocate resources to the setup processing of the E-RABas a packet bearer and the setup processing of the RAB as a packetbearer.

Likewise, the CSFB procedure has another problem of being unable topreferentially establish RRC (Radio Resource Control) connection fortransmission of a signal to request a start of circuit-switched type ofcommunications from a prioritized mobile station UE.

With reference to FIGS. 12 to 14, these problems will be described indetail.

Firstly, FIG. 12 shows part of operations of a CSFB procedure involvedin originating call processing for a prioritized mobile station UE inthe foregoing mobile communication system.

The CSFB procedure has a problem that an E-RAB to serve as a packetbearer for the prioritized mobile station UE cannot be set up in E-RABsetup processing if resources necessary for E-RAB setup are short, asshown in a part A in FIG. 12.

In addition, the CSFB procedure has another problem that a RAB to serveas a packet bearer for the prioritized mobile station UE cannot be setup in RAB setup processing if resources necessary for RAB setup areshort, as shown in a part B in FIG. 12.

Moreover, the CSFB procedure has still another problem that a radionetwork controller RNC cannot establish RRC connection for transmissionof a handover control signal from the prioritized mobile station UE ifthe RRC function on the UTRAN side is congested, as shown in a part C inFIG. 12.

Secondary, FIG. 13 shows part of operations of a CSFB procedure involvedin terminating call processing for a prioritized mobile station UE inIdle mode in the foregoing mobile communication system.

The CSFB procedure has a problem that a radio base station eNodeB cannotestablish RRC connection for transmission of a handover control signalfrom the prioritized mobile station UE if the RRC function on theE-UTRAN side is congested, as shown in a part A in FIG. 13.

Moreover, the CSFB procedure has another problem that an E-RAB to serveas a packet bearer for the prioritized mobile station UE cannot be setup in E-RAB setup processing if resources necessary for E-RAB setup areshort, as shown in a part B in FIG. 13.

Further, the CSFB procedure has still another problem that a RAB toserve as a packet bearer for the prioritized mobile station UE cannot beset up in RAB setup processing if resources necessary for RAB setup areshort, as shown in a part C in FIG. 13.

Furthermore, the CSFB procedure has yet another problem that the radionetwork controller RNC cannot establish RRC connection for transmissionof a handover control signal from the prioritized mobile station UE ifthe RRC function on the UTRAN side is congested, as shown in a part D inFIG. 13.

Thirdly, FIG. 14 shows part of operations of a CSFB procedure involvedin terminating call processing for a prioritized mobile station UE inActive mode in the foregoing mobile communication system. In this CSFBprocedure, the E-RAB for the prioritized mobile station UE is alreadyset up.

In this CSFB procedure, if the radio base station eNodeB detectsshortage of resources necessary for RAB setup on UTRAN on the occasionof receiving a “Context Modification Request” including a “CSFBIndicator,” the radio base station eNodeB cannot preferentially performcontrol processing necessary for handover for the subsequent packetcommunications as shown in a part A in FIG. 14.

Hence, the present invention has been made in consideration of theforegoing problems, and has an objective to provide a mobilecommunication method, a radio access network apparatus and a mobilestation which, in a CSFB procedure for communications to be prioritizedsuch as an originating call or terminating call of a prioritized mobilestation, enable preferential setup of E-RAB and RAB as packet bearersand priority control for a RRC signal in the CSFB procedure.

Means for Solving the Problems

A first feature of the present invention is a mobile communicationmethod including the steps of: transmitting a start request signal forcircuit-switched type of communications from a mobile station in Idlemode to a mobility management node via a radio access network apparatusof a first communication system that does not support circuit-switchedtype of communications; transmitting a radio bearer setup request signalfrom the mobility management node to the radio access network apparatusof the first communication system, the radio bearer setup request signalcontaining priority call information and requesting setup of a radiobearer of the first communication system between the mobile station andthe radio access network apparatus of the first communication system;and preferentially allocating resources to a radio bearer of the firstcommunication system, by the radio access network apparatus of the firstcommunication system based on the received priority call information.

A second feature of the present invention is summarized as including thesteps of: transmitting a start request signal for circuit-switched typeof communications from mobile station to a mobility management node viaa radio access network apparatus of a first communication system thatdoes not support circuit-switched type of communications, the mobilestation having a radio bearer of the first communication system alreadyset up between the mobile station and the radio access network of thefirst communication system; transmitting a setting modification requestsignal containing priority call information from the mobility managementnode to the radio access network apparatus of the first communicationsystem; determining, by the radio access network apparatus of the firstcommunication system, whether or not there are available resources on asecond communication system that supports circuit-switched type ofcommunications, in response to the received setting modification requestsignal; and performing a procedure of releasing the radio bearer of thefirst communication system in the case where the priority callinformation is contained in the setting modification request signal eventhrough it is determined that there are no available resources on thesecond communication system.

A third feature of the present invention is a radio access networkapparatus of a first communication system that does not supportcircuit-switched type of communications, the radio access networkapparatus summarized as being configured to: send a mobility managementnode a start request signal for circuit-switched type of communicationsreceived from a mobile station in Idle mode; receive a radio bearersetup request signal from the mobility management node, the radio bearersetup request containing priority call information and requesting setupof a radio bearer of the first communication system between the mobilestation and the radio access network apparatus of the firstcommunication system; and preferentially allocate resources to the radiobearer of the first communication system based on the priority callinformation contained in the received radio bearer setup request signal.

A fourth feature of the present invention is a radio access networkapparatus of a first communication system that does not supportcircuit-switched type of communications, the radio access networkapparatus summarized as being configured to: send a mobility managementnode a start request signal for circuit-switched type of communicationsreceived from a mobile station having a radio bearer of the firstcommunication system between the mobile station and the radio accessnetwork apparatus of the first communication system; determine whetheror not there are available resources on a second communication systemthat supports circuit-switched type of communications in response to asetting modification request signal received from the mobilitymanagement node; and perform a radio bearer release procedure of thefirst communication system if priority call information is contained inthe setting modification request signal even though it is determinedthat there are not available resources on the second communicationsystem.

A fifth feature of the present invention is a radio access networkapparatus of a second communication system that supportscircuit-switched type of communications, the radio access networkapparatus summarized as being configured to: after a radio bearer of afirst communication system that does not support circuit-switched typeof communications is set up between a mobile station and a radio accessnetwork apparatus of the first communication system, receive a handoverrequest signal containing priority call information from the radioaccess network apparatus of the first communication system via themobility management node and a packet switch of the second communicationsystem; and preferentially allocate resources to a radio bearer of thesecond communication system between the mobile station and the radioaccess network apparatus of the second communication system based on thepriority call information contained in the received handover requestsignal.

A sixth feature of the present invention is a mobile station summarizedas being configured to transmit a start request signal forcircuit-switched type of communications to a mobility management nodevia a radio access network apparatus of a first communication systemthat does not support circuit-switched type of communications; and ifpriority call information is contained in a handover request signalreceived from the radio access network apparatus of the firstcommunication system even though an access to a second communicationsystem that supports circuit-switched type of communications isrestricted, transmit a response signal to the handover request signal toa radio access network apparatus of the second communication system.

Effects of the Invention

As has been described above, according to the present invention, it ispossible to provide a mobile communication method, a radio accessnetwork apparatus and a mobile station which, in a CSFB procedure forcommunications to be prioritized such as an originating call orterminating call of a prioritized mobile station, enable preferentialsetup of E-RAB and RAB as packet bearers and priority control for a RRCsignal in the CSFB procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a mobile communicationsystem according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the mobilecommunication system according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a radio base stationeNodeB in the mobile communication system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the radio base stationeNodeB in the mobile communication system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of a radio network controllerRNC according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the radio networkcontroller RNC according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of a mobile station UEaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the mobilecommunication system according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the mobilecommunication system according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the radio base stationeNodeB in the mobile communication system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the radio base stationeNodeB in the mobile communication system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining problems of a conventional mobilecommunication system.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining problems of the conventional mobilecommunication system.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a problem of the conventional mobilecommunication system.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Mobile Communication Systemaccording to First Embodiment of the Present Invention

In reference to FIGS. 1 to 11, description will be provided for a mobilecommunication system according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. The mobile communication system according to this embodimentincludes both E-UTRAN and UTRAN.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the mobile communication systemaccording to this embodiment includes a gateway device P-GW (PDNGateway), a serving gateway device S-GW (Serving Gateway), a mobilitymanagement node MME (Mobility Management Entity), a radio base stationeNodeB, a circuit switching device MSC (Mobile-service SwitchingCenter), a packet switch SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node), a radionetwork controller RNC, and a radio base station NodeB (notillustrated).

In the first place, in reference to FIG. 2, description will be providedfor part of operations of a CSFB procedure involved in originating callprocessing of a prioritized mobile station UE in the mobilecommunication system according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, when a prioritized mobile station UE in Idle mode onE-UTRAN detects execution of an originating call operation for startingcircuit-switched type of communications in step S1001, the prioritizedmobile station UE transmits an “Extended Service Request” containing a“CSFB Indicator” to the radio base station eNodeB in step S1002.

In step 1003, the radio base station eNodeB transmits the “ExtendedService Request” containing the “CSFB Indicator” to the mobilitymanagement node MME.

In step S1004, if the mobility management node MME determines that theCSFB procedure should be prioritized by referring to “connection causeinformation (for example, cause=priority connection)” or “connectiontype information (for example, an originating call for emergency call)”which is contained in the signal received in step S1003, “subscriberprofile information held by the mobility management node MME (forexample, a priority user),” or the like, the mobility management nodeMME transmits an “Initial UE Context Setup Request” containing the “CSFBIndicator” and priority call information to the radio base stationeNodeB.

In step S1005, the radio base station eNodeB performs priority controlprocessing for the received “Initial UE Context Setup Request.”

Here, the priority control processing for the “Initial UE Context SetupRequest” is explained in reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Firstly, a first example of the priority control processing is explainedin reference to FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the radio base station eNodeB receives an“Initial UE Context Setup Request” in step S101, the radio base stationeNodeB determines whether or not resources necessary for E-RAB setup areavailable in step S102.

When determining that such resources are available, the radio basestation eNodeB performs usual processing of allocating resources to anE-RAB in step S103.

On the other hand, when determining that such resources are notavailable, the radio base station eNodeB determines whether or not thepriority call information is contained in the “Initial UE Context SetupRequest” in step S104.

When determining that the priority call information is not contained,the radio base station eNodeB sends the mobility management node MME a“Negative Response” indicating that the resource allocation is notpossible in step S105.

On the other hand, when determining that the priority call informationis contained, the radio base station eNodeB determines whether or notresources necessary for RAB setup on a relocation target RAT (RadioAccess Technology), i.e., on UTRAN are available in step S106.

When determining that such resources are available, the radio basestation eNodeB preferentially reserves resources for the E-RAB for theprioritized mobile station UE and allocates the resources to the E-RABfor the prioritized mobile station UE in the case where the resourcesnecessary for E-RAB setup are acquired, in step S107.

On the other hand, when determining that such resources are notavailable, the radio base station eNodeB aborts the CSFB procedure (PSHO procedure) and transitions to a “Release with Redirection procedure”in step S108.

For example, in the “Release with Redirection procedure,” the radio basestation eNodeB may send the mobility management node MME an “Initial UEContext Setup Response” containing error information indicating thetransition to the “Release with Redirection procedure.”

In the above procedure, the processing in step S106 may be omitted. Inthis case, when determining that the priority call information iscontained in step S104, the radio base station eNodeB may preferentiallyreserve resources for the E-RAB for the prioritized mobile station UE,and may allocate the resources to the E-RAB for the prioritized mobilestation UE in the case where the resources necessary for E-RAB setup areacquired, in step S107.

Secondly, a second example of the priority control processing for the“Initial UE Context Setup Request” is explained in reference to FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the radio base station eNodeB receives an“Initial UE Context Setup Request” in step S201, the radio base stationeNodeB determines whether or not the priority call information iscontained in the “Initial UE Context Setup Request” in step S202.

When determining that the priority call information is not contained,the radio base station eNodeB performs usual processing of allocatingresources to an E-RAB in step S203.

Here, if the radio base station eNodeB cannot allocate the resources tothe E-RAB, the radio base station eNodeB transmits a “Negative Response”indicating that effect to the mobility management node MME.

On the other hand, when determining that the priority call informationis contained, the radio base station eNodeB determines whether or notresources necessary for RAB setup on a relocation target RAT, i.e., onUTRAN are available in step S204.

When determining that such resources are available, the radio basestation eNodeB preferentially allocates resources to the E-RAB for theprioritized mobile station UE in step S205.

Here, when the resources necessary for E-RAB setup on E-UTRAN are notavailable, the radio base station eNodeB releases the resourcesallocated to a non-prioritized mobile station UE and preferentiallyallocates the resources to the E-RAB for the prioritized mobile stationUE.

On the other hand, when such resources are not available, the radio basestation eNodeB aborts the CSFB procedure (PS HO procedure) andtransitions to the “Release with Redirection procedure” in step S206.

For example, in the “Release with Redirection procedure,” the radio basestation eNodeB may send the mobility management node MME an “Initial UEContext Setup Response” containing error information indicating thetransition to the “Release with Redirection procedure.”

Here, the processing in step S204 may be performed at a time point A inFIG. 4. In this case, when determining that the aforementioned resourcesare available in step S204, the radio base station eNodeB may performusual processing of allocating the resources to the E-RAB. In contrast,when determining that the aforementioned resources are not available instep S204, the radio base station eNodeB may abort the CSFB procedure(PS HO procedure) and transition to the “Release with Redirectionprocedure” in step S206.

In this case, when determining the priority call information iscontained in step S202, the radio base station eNodeB may preferentiallyallocate the resources to the E-RAB for the prioritized mobile stationUE in step S205.

Here, when resources necessary for E-RAB setup on E-UTRAN are notavailable, the radio base station eNodeB may release the resourcesallocated to a non-prioritized mobile station UE and preferentiallyallocate the resources to the E-RAB for the prioritized mobile stationUE.

Returning to FIG. 2, after the E-RAB is set up between the radio basestation eNodeB and the prioritized mobile station UE in step S1006, theradio base station eNodeB transmits an “Initial UE Context SetupResponse” to the mobility management node MME in step S1007.

The mobility management node MME transmits a “GTPv2 Modify BearerRequest” to the serving gateway device S-GW in step S1008 and theserving gateway device S-GW transmits a “GTPv2 Modify Bearer Response”to the mobility management node MME in step S1009.

In step S1010, the radio base station eNodeB sends the mobilitymanagement node MME a “Handover Required” containing “Cause,” “TargetRNC Identifier,” “Source eNodeB Identifier,” “Source to TargetTransparent Container,” and the like.

Here, the “Source to Target Transparent Container” contains theaforementioned priority call information.

In step S1011, the mobility management node MME sends the packet switchSGSN a “Forward Relocation Request” containing the “Source to TargetTransparent Container.”

Here, the mobility management node MME generates the “Forward RelocationRequest” containing the whole “Source to Target Transparent Container”in the received “Handover Required” and transmits the “ForwardRelocation Request” to the packet switch SGSN.

Instead, the mobility management node MME may detect that the call is tobe prioritized in a method like the one described in step S1004,generate the “Forward Relocation Request” containing the priority callinformation and the like, and transmit the “Forward Relocation Request”to the packet switch SGSN.

In step S1012, the packet switch SGSN transmits a “Relocation Request”containing the “Source to Target Transparent Container” to the radionetwork controller RNC.

In this step, the packet switch SGSN generates the “Relocation Request”containing the whole “Source to Target Transparent Container” in thereceived “Forward Relocation Request” and transmits the “RelocationRequest” to the radio network controller RNC.

Alternatively, the packet switch SGSN may detect the priority callinformation contained in received “Forward Relocation Request,” generatethe “Relocation Request” containing the priority call information andthe like and transmit the “Relocation Request” to the radio networkcontroller RNC.

In step S1013, the radio network controller RNC performs the prioritycontrol processing for a “Relocation Request” thus received.

Here, the priority control processing for a “Relocation Request” isexplained in reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

Firstly, a first example of the priority control processing for a“Relocation Request” is explained by referring to FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the radio network controller RNC receives a“Relocation Request” in step S301, the radio network controller RNCdetermines whether or not resources necessary for RAB setup areavailable in step S302.

When determining that such resources are available, the radio networkcontroller RNC performs usual processing of allocating the resources tothe RAB in step S303.

On the other hand, when determining that such resources are notavailable, the radio network controller RNC determines whether or notthe priority call information is contained in the “Relocation Request”in step S304.

When determining that the priority call information is contained, theradio network controller RNC allocates the resources to the RAB for theprioritized mobile station UE, if the resources necessary for RAB setupare acquired from the resources reserved in advance for the RAB for theprioritized mobile station UE, in step S306.

On the other hand, when determining that the priority call informationis not contained, the radio network controller RNC transmits a “NegativeResponse” indicating that effect to the packet switch SGSN in step S305.

Secondly, a second example of the priority control processing for a“Relocation Request” is explained in reference to FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the radio network controller RNC receives a“Relocation Request” in step S401, the radio network controller RNCdetermines whether or not the priority call information is contained inthe “Relocation Request” in step S402.

When determining that the priority call information is contained, theradio network controller RNC preferentially allocates resources to theE-RAB for the prioritized mobile station UE in step S403.

In this step, if the resources necessary for RAB setup on UTRAN are notavailable, the radio network controller RNC releases the resourcesallocated to a non-prioritized mobile station UE and allocates theresources to the RAB for the prioritized mobile station UE.

On the other hand, when determining that the priority call informationis not contained, the radio network controller RNC performs usualprocessing of allocating resources to the RAB in step S404.

In this step, when the resources cannot be allocated to the RAB, theradio network controller RNC transmits a “Negative Response” indicatingthat effect to the packet switch SGSN.

Returning to FIG. 2, after the radio network controller RNC successfullyallocates the resources to the RAB for the prioritized mobile stationUE, the radio network controller RNC sends the packet switch SGSN a“Relocation Request Acknowledge” in which the priority call informationis contained in an information element addressed to the radio basestation eNodeB in step S1014.

In step S1015, the packet switch SGSN sends the mobility management nodeMME a “Forward Relocation Response” in which the priority callinformation is contained in an information element addressed to theradio base station eNodeB.

In step S1016, the mobility management node MME sends the radio basestation eNodeB a “Handover Command” in which the priority callinformation is contained in an information element addressed to theradio base station eNodeB.

In step S1017, the radio base station eNodeB sends the prioritizedmobile station UE a “HO from E-UTRAN Command” containing the “CSFBIndicator” and the priority call information.

In step S1018, the prioritized mobile station UE performs prioritycontrol processing for a “HO from E-UTRAN Command” thus received. Here,the priority control processing for a “HO from E-UTRAN Command” isexplained in reference to FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, when a mobile station UE (for example, a prioritizedmobile station UE) receives a “HO from E-UTRAN Command” in step S501,the mobile station UE determines whether or not an access to UTRAN isrestricted in step S502.

Here, the mobile station UE may determine whether or not the access toUTRAN is restricted based on an information element in the “HO fromE-UTRAN Command” or may determine whether or not the access to UTRAN isrestricted based on broadcast information in a cell under the control ofthe radio network controller RNC.

When determining that the access is restricted, the mobile station UEdetermines whether or not the priority call information is contained inthe “HO from E-UTRAN Command” in step S503.

When determining that the priority call information is not contained,the mobile station UE determines that the CSFB procedure cannot beperformed, and performs processing of re-connecting to E-UTRAN withouttransmitting a “Handover to UTRAN Complete” to the radio networkcontroller RNC in step S504.

On the other hand, when determining that the priority call informationis contained, the mobile station UE transmits a “Handover to UTRANComplete” to the radio network controller RNC in step S505(corresponding to S1019 shown in FIG. 2).

Meanwhile, when determining that the access is not restricted in stepS502, the mobile station UE transmits the “Handover to UTRAN Complete”to the radio network controller RNC in step S505 (corresponding to S1019shown in FIG. 2).

Incidentally, the processing in step S1018 may be omitted.

In step S1020, the radio network controller RNC performs prioritycontrol processing for the “Handover to UTRAN Complete” thus received.

For example, the radio network controller RNC may be configured toaccept only the “Handover to UTRAN Complete” containing the prioritycall information when the RRC function or the like on the UTRAN side iscongested.

When accepting the received “Handover to UTRAN Complete,” the radionetwork controller RNC transmits a “Relocation Complete” to the packetswitch SGSN in step S1021.

The packet switch SGSN transmits a “Forward Relocation Complete” to themobility management node MME in step S1022, and the mobility managementnode MME transmits a “Forward Relocation Complete Acknowledge” to thepacket switch SGSN in step S1023.

The packet switch SGSN transmits a “Modify Bearer Request” to theserving gateway device S-GW in step S1024 and the serving gateway deviceS-GW transmits a “Modify Bearer Response” to the packet switch SGSN instep S1025.

In the second place, in reference to FIG. 8, description will beprovided for part of operations of a CSFB procedure involved interminating call processing for a prioritized mobile station UE in Idlemode in the mobile communication system according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, when a terminating call to a mobile station UE inIdle mode on E-UTRAN is made from a prioritized mobile station in stepS2001, the circuit switching device MSC receives an “IAM/Invite”containing the priority call information in step S2002, checks that “SGsstatus” is “SGs-ASSOCIATED” in step S2003, and transmits a“SGsAP-PAGING-REQUEST (Paging)” containing the priority call informationto the mobility management node MME with which SGs association isestablished in steps S2004 and S2005.

The mobility management node MME transmits a “Paging” containing thepriority call information to the radio base station eNodeB in step 2006,and the radio base station eNodeB transmits the “Paging” containing thepriority call information to the mobile station UE in step S2007.

In step S2008, the mobile station UE transmits a “RRC ConnectionRequest” containing the priority call information to the radio basestation eNodeB based on the received “Paging.”

In step S2009, the radio base station eNodeB performs priority controlprocessing for the received “RRC Connection Request.”

For example, the radio base station eNodeB may be configured to acceptonly the “RRC Connection Request” containing the priority callinformation when the RRC function or the like on the E-UTRAN side iscongested.

Incidentally, the radio base station eNodeB may transmit a “Paging” notcontaining the priority call information to the mobile station UE instep S2007. In this case, the radio base station eNodeB does not performthe priority control processing for the received “RRC ConnectionRequest” in step S2009.

When accepting the received “RRC Connection Request,” the radio basestation eNodeB transmits a “RRC Connection Setup” to the mobile stationUE in step S2010.

In step S2011, the mobile station UE sends the radio base station eNodeBa “RRC Connection Complete” in which a “CSFB Indicator” is contained inan “Extended Service Request.”

The radio base station eNodeB transmits the “Extended Service Request”containing the “CSFB Indicator” to the mobility management node MME instep S2012, and the mobility management node MME transmits the “ServiceRequest” to the circuit switching device MSC in step S2013.

The following operations in steps S2014 to S2035 are the same as theoperations in steps S1004 to S1025 shown in FIG. 2.

In the third place, in reference to FIG. 9, description will be providedfor part of operations in a CSFB procedure involved in terminating callprocessing for a prioritized mobile station UE in Active mode in themobile communication system according to this embodiment. In this CSFBprocedure, the E-RAB for the prioritized mobile station UE is alreadyset up.

The operations in steps S3001 to S3005 are the same as the operations insteps step S2001 to S2005 shown in FIG. 8.

The mobility management node MME transmits a “CS Service Notification”to the mobile station UE in step S3006, and transmits a “ServiceRequest” to the circuit switching device MSC in step S3007.

The mobile station UE transmits an “Extended Service Request” containinga “CSFB Indicator” to the radio base station eNodeB in step S3008, andthe radio base station eNodeB transmits the “Extended Service Request”containing the “CSFB Indicator” to the mobility management node MME instep S3009.

In step S3009, the mobility management node MME receives the “ExtendedService Request” that is a response signal to step S3006. Upon thisreception, the mobility management node MME transmits a “UE ContextModification Request” containing the “CSFB Indicator” and the prioritycall information to the radio base station eNodeB in step S3010.

When the radio base station eNodeB detects that the “CSFB Indicator” iscontained in the received “UE Context Modification Request” in stepS3011, the radio base station eNodeB performs priority controlprocessing for the received “UE Context Modification Request” in stepS3012.

Here, the priority control processing for a “UE Context ModificationRequest” is explained in reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

Firstly, a first example of the priority control processing for a “UEContext Modification Request” is described in reference to FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the radio base station eNodeB receives a “UEContext Modification Request” in step S601, the radio base stationeNodeB determines whether or not resources necessary for RAB setup on arelocation target RAT, i.e., on UTRAN are available in step S602.

When determining that such resources are available, the radio basestation eNodeB continues the CSFB procedure in step S603. Specifically,in step S3013 shown in FIG. 9, the radio base station eNodeB transmits a“UE Context Modification Response” to the mobility management node MME.

On the other hand, when determining that such resources are notavailable, the radio base station eNodeB determines whether or not thepriority call information is contained in the “UE Context ModificationRequest” in step S604.

When determining that the priority call information is contained, theradio base station eNodeB aborts the CSFB procedure (PS HO procedure)and transitions to the “Release with Redirection procedure” in stepS605.

In the “Release with Redirection procedure,” for example, the radio basestation eNodeB may send the mobility management node MME a “UE ContextModification Response” containing error information indicating thetransition to the “Release with Redirection procedure.”

On the other hand, when determining that the priority call informationis not contained, the radio base station eNodeB performs failureprocessing for the CSFB procedure (PS HO procedure) in step S606

Here, the processing in step S602 may be omitted. In this case, theradio base station eNodeB may be configured to transmit a “UE ContextModification Response” to the mobility management node MME in step S3013when the radio base station eNodeB receives a “UE Context ModificationRequest.”

Secondly, a second example of the priority control processing for a “UEContext Modification Request” is described in reference to FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the radio base station eNodeB receives a “UEContext Modification Request” in step S701, the radio base stationeNodeB determines whether or not the priority call information iscontained in the “UE Context Modification Request” in step S702.

When determining that the priority call information is not contained,the radio base station eNodeB continues the CSFB procedure (PS HOprocedure) in step S703. Specifically, in step S3013 shown in FIG. 9,the radio base station eNodeB transmits the “UE Context ModificationResponse” to the mobility management node MME.

On the other hand, when determining that the priority call informationis contained, the radio base station eNodeB determines whether or notthe resources necessary for RAB setup on the relocation target RAT,i.e., on UTRAN are available in step S704.

When determining that such resources are available, the radio basestation eNodeB continues the CSFB procedure (PS HO procedure) in stepS705. Specifically, in step S3013, the radio base station eNodeBtransmits the “UE Context Modification Response” to the mobilitymanagement node MME.

On the other hand, when determining that such resources are notavailable, the radio base station eNodeB aborts the CSFB procedure (PSHO procedure) and transitions to the “Release with Redirectionprocedure” in step S706.

In the “Release with Redirection procedure, ” for example, the radiobase station eNodeB may send the mobility management node MME a “UEContext Modification Response” containing error information indicatingthe transition to the “Release with Redirection procedure.”

Here, the processing in step S704 may be performed at a time point B inFIG. 11. In this case, the radio base station eNodeB may continue theCSFB procedure (PS HO procedure) in step S703 when determining that theabove resources are available in step S704, and may abort the CSFBprocedure (PS HO procedure) and transition to the “Release withRedirection procedure” in step S706 when determining that the aboveresources are not available in step S704.

In this case, when determining that the priority call information iscontained in step S702, the radio base station eNodeB may continue theCSFB procedure (PS HO procedure) in step S705.

Returning to FIG. 9, the processing X shown in FIG. 8 is implementedthereafter.

The mobile communication system according to this embodiment canpreferentially perform the E-RAB setup processing, the RAB setupprocessing, and the RRC connection establishment processing in the CSFBprocedure for communications to be prioritized such as an originatingcall or a terminating call from a prioritized mobile station UE, andthereby can preferentially perform the CSFB procedure involved in theoriginating call processing or the terminating call processing for theprioritized mobile station UE.

The foregoing features of the present embodiment can be expressed asfollows.

A first feature of the present embodiment is a mobile communicationmethod including the steps of: transmitting an “Extended Service Request(a start request signal for circuit-switched type of communications)”from a mobile station UE in Idle mode (for example, a prioritized mobilestation UE that is about to perform processing for an originating callto a prioritized mobile station UE or a non-prioritized mobile stationUE, or a prioritized mobile station UE or a non-prioritized mobilestation UE that is about to perform processing of a terminating callfrom a prioritized mobile station UE) to a mobility management node MMEvia a radio base station eNodeB (a radio access network apparatus) ofthe LTE system (a first communication system that does not supportcircuit-switched type of communications); transmitting an “Initial UEContext Setup Request (a radio bearer setup request signal)” from themobile station UE to the radio base station eNodeB, the “Initial UEContext Setup Request containing priority call information andrequesting setup of an E-RAB (a radio bearer of the first communicationsystem) between the mobile station UE and the radio base station eNodeB;and preferentially allocating resources to the E-RAB for the mobilestation UE by the radio base station eNodeB based on the priority callinformation contained in the received “Initial UE Context SetupRequest.”

In the first feature of the present embodiment, the method may includethe steps of: after the E-RAB for the mobile station UE is set up,transmitting a “Handover Required/Forward Relocation Request (handoverrequest signal)” containing the priority call information from the radiobase station eNodeB to a packet switch SGSN of a 2G/3G system (a secondcommunication system that supports circuit-switched type ofcommunications) via the mobility management node MME; transmitting a“Relocation Request (handover request signal)” containing the prioritycall information from the packet switch SGSN to a radio networkcontroller RNC (a radio access network apparatus of the secondcommunication system); and preferentially allocating resources to a RAB(a radio bearer of the second communication system) between the mobilestation UE and the radio network controller RNC by the radio networkcontroller RNC based on the priority call information contained in thereceived “Relocation Request.”

In the first feature of the present embodiment, the method may includethe steps of: after the resources are allocated to the RAB for themobile station UE, transmitting a “Relocation Request Acknowledge (ahandover request acknowledge signal)” containing the priority callinformation from the radio network controller RNC to the packet switchSGSN; transmitting a “Forward Relocation Response/Handover Command (ahandover request signal)” containing the priority call information fromthe packet switch SGSN to the radio base station eNodeB via the mobilitymanagement node MME; transmitting a “HO from E-UTRAN Command (a handoverrequest signal)” containing the priority call information from the radiobase station eNodeB to the mobile station UE; and transmitting a“Handover to UTRAN Complete (a handover request signal acknowledgesignal)” from the mobile station UE to the radio network controller RNCif the priority call information is contained in the received “HO fromE-UTRAN Command,” even though an access to the 2G/3G system isrestricted.

In the first feature of the present embodiment, the method may includethe steps of: after the resources are allocated to the RAB for themobile station UE, transmitting a “Relocation Request Acknowledge”containing the priority call information from the radio networkcontroller RNC to the packet switch SGSN; transmitting the “ForwardRelocation Response/Handover Command” containing the priority callinformation from the packet switch SGSN to the radio base station eNodeBvia the mobility management node MME; transmitting the “HO from E-UTRANCommand” containing the priority call information from the radio basestation eNodeB to the mobile station UE; transmitting the “Handover toUTRAN Complete” containing the priority call information from the mobilestation UE to the radio network controller RNC; and preferentiallyaccepting the “Handover to UTRAN Complete” by the radio networkcontroller RNC based on the priority call information contained in thereceived “Handover to UTRAN Complete.”

A second feature of the present embodiment is a mobile communicationmethod summarized as including the steps of: transmitting an “ExtendedService Request” from a mobile station UE having an E-RAB already set upbetween the mobile station UE and a radio base station eNodeB (that is,a mobile station UE in Active mode) to a mobility management node MMEvia the radio base station eNodeB; transmitting a “UE ContextModification Request (a setting modification request signal)” containingpriority call information from the mobility management node MME to theradio base station eNodeB; determining by the radio base station eNodeBwhether or not there are available resources in the 2G/3G system inresponse to the received “UE Context Modification Request;” and evenwhen it is determined that there are not available resources in the2G/3G system, performing processing of releasing the E-RAB by the radiobase station eNodeB if the priority call information is contained in the“UE Context Modification Request.”

A third feature of the present embodiment is a radio base station eNodeBsummarized as being configured to: transmit an “Extended ServiceRequest” received from a mobile station UE in Idle mode to a mobilitymanagement node MME; receive an “Initial UE Context Setup Request” fromthe mobility management node MME, the “Initial UE Context Setup Request”containing priority call information and requesting setup of an E-RABbetween the mobile station UE and the radio base station eNodeB; andpreferentially allocate resources to the E-RAB for the mobile station UEbased on the priority call information contained in the received“Initial UE Context Setup Request.”

A fourth feature of the present embodiment is a radio base stationeNodeB summarized as being configured to: send a mobility managementnode MME an “Extended Service Request” received from a mobile stationhaving an E-RAB already set up between the mobile station UE and theradio base station eNodeB (that is, a mobile station UE in Active mode);determine whether or not there are available resources in the 2G/3Gsystem in response to a “UE Context Modification Request” received fromthe mobility management node MME; and perform E-RAB release processingif priority call information is contained in the “UE ContextModification Request” even when there are not available resources in the2G/3G system.

A fifth feature of the present embodiment is a radio network controllerRNC summarized as being configured to: after an E-RAB between a mobilestation UE and a radio base station eNodeB is set up, receive a “ForwardRelocation Request” containing priority call information from the radiobase station eNodeB via a mobility management node MME and a packetswitch SGSN; and preferentially allocate resources to a RAB between themobile station UE and the radio network controller RNC based on thepriority call information contained in the received “RelocationRequest.”

A sixth feature of the present embodiment is a mobile station UEsummarized by being configured to: transmit an “Extended ServiceRequest” to a mobility management node MME via a radio base stationeNodeB; and transmit a “Handover to UTRAN Complete” to a radio networkcontroller RNC if priority call information is contained in a “HO fromE-UTRAN Command” received from the radio base station eNodeB, eventhough an access to the 2G/3G system is restricted.

It should be noted that the aforementioned operations of the mobilestation UE, the radio base station eNodeB, the radio network controllerRNC, the mobility management node MME, the gateway device P-GW, thegateway device S-GW, the circuit switching device MSC, and the packetswitch SGSN may be implemented by hardware, may be implemented by asoftware module executed by a processor, or may be implemented by acombination of the two.

A software module may be provided in a storage medium in any format suchas a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a ROM (Read OnlyMemory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (ElectronicallyErasable and Programmable ROM), a register, a hard disk, a removabledisk, or a CD-ROM.

Such storage medium is connected to a processor in such away that theprocessor can write and read information to and from the storage medium.Instead, the storage medium may be integrated in the processor.Alternatively, the storage medium and the processor may be integrated inan ASIC. The ASIC may be provided in the mobile station UE, the radiobase station eNodeB, the radio network controller RNC, the mobilitymanagement node MME, the gateway device P-GW, the gateway device S-GW,the circuit switching device MSC, or the packet switch SGSN. Moreover,the storage medium and the processor may be provided as discretecomponents in the mobile station UE, the radio base station eNodeB, theradio network controller RNC, the mobility management node MME, thegateway device P-GW, the gateway device S-GW, the circuit switchingdevice MSC or the packet switch SGSN

Although the present invention have been hereinabove described in detailby using the foregoing embodiment, it is apparent to those skilled inthe art that the present invention should not be limited to theembodiment specified in the present description. The present inventioncan be implemented as altered or modified embodiments without departingfrom the gist and scope of the present invention. Therefore, thestatement in this description is for illustrative purpose, and is notintended to impose any limitation on the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, provided are a mobile communicationmethod, a radio access network apparatus and a mobile station whichenable preferential establishment of an E-RAB and a RAB as packetbearers in a CSFB procedure for communication to be prioritized such asan originating call or a terminating call from a prioritized mobilestation, and enable priority control for an RRC signal in the CSFBprocedure, as described above.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERAL

-   eNodeB . . . radio base station-   MME . . . mobility management node-   UE . . . mobile station-   P-GW, S-GW . . . gateway device-   MSC . . . circuit switching device-   SGSN . . . packet switch-   RNC . . . radio network controller

1. (canceled)
 2. A mobile communication method comprising the steps of:transmitting a start request signal for circuit-switched type ofcommunications from a mobile station in Idle mode on a radio accessnetwork of a first communication system that does not supportcircuit-switched type of communications, to a mobility management nodevia a radio access network apparatus of the first communication systemafter a paging is received by the mobile station; transmitting a setuprequest signal containing priority call information from the mobilitymanagement node to the radio access network apparatus of the firstcommunication system when the mobility management node receives thestart request signal and determines that a circuit-switched fallbackprocedure is to be prioritized; transmitting a handover request signalcontaining the priority call information from the radio access networkapparatus of the first communication system to the mobile station; andwhen the priority call information is contained in the received handoverrequest signal, transmitting a signal containing the priority callinformation from the mobile station to a radio access network apparatusof the second communication system. 3.-4. (canceled)
 5. A radio accessnetwork apparatus of a first communication system that does not supportcircuit-switched type of communications, wherein when a start requestsignal for circuit-switched type of communications is sent by a mobilestation in Idle mode on a radio access network of the firstcommunication system after a paging is received by the mobile station,the radio access network apparatus forwards the start request signal toa mobility management node, and the radio access network apparatustransmits a handover request signal containing priority call informationto the mobile station when the radio access network apparatus receives asetup request signal containing the priority call information from themobility management node which received the start request signal anddetermined that a circuit-switched fallback procedure is to beprioritized.